Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill Passes the Senate!

[Crohnie]

The Illinois Senate passed the Illinois medical marijuana bill (Illinois HB1) today! This comes exactly one month after the House also passed (61-57) the bill. As expected, the Senate was a much easier lift than the House. HB 1 was easily passed by the Senate by a vote of 35-21! Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn (D) has previously stated that he's "open minded" about signing a medical marijuana bill. Since some of his own staffers were involved in drafting HB1, it is widely expected that he will sign it.

Medical users in Illinois have fought for a LONG time for this bill and we've been disappointed many times. The bill takes effect 6 months from the date it's signed. Legal protection for medical users will kick in as soon as the bill goes into effect. Dispensaries, etc. will take longer. Since I live in Chicago, I'm particularly excited about the possibilities.

 

[AgentofChaos]

Proud Chicagoan today!

 

[dannkk]

Small world. Me, too. This will definitely be interesting. I don't see how it will work out, really. It says you need to be prescribed by a doctor you have a previous relationship with. I'm no expert, but from what I've heard, almost no normal doctors, even in the long time medical states, really prescribe it. They're worried about legal repercussions. That's why they have all the clinics. Seems like it will be very hard to obtain a card, even for really legitimate patients.

And, Agent...what happened to the cloud? I was just checking your guys' sigs to try one.

 

[Crohnie]

I hear you, dannkk. HB 1 has rightly been described as the most restrictive medical marijuana law in the country. I don't know if my primary doctor of almost 20 years would be willing to write a recommendation (not a prescription) for medical marijuana. He's seen the hell I've gone through with Crohn's Disease, but I've only mentioned once in passing about using cannabis to relieve my symptoms. If he won't do it, I'll try my Gastroenterologist. If both refuse, I'm out of luck.

The other big negative is not being able to grow your own. Unfortunately, being able to grow was one of the reasons the bill kept failing to pass in previous attempts. Perhaps this can change in the future. Full legalization would solve these problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon in Illinois. If the Governor signs it, the bill would go into effect in 6 months and would last for 4 years, at which time it can be renewed or canceled. This bill is FAR from perfect, but it's a start.

 

[t-dub]

I have three doctors that monitor and support my MMJ usage but only one, my rheumatologist, will sign my paperwork for the state. The other two can't because their insurance will not allow them to do it under any circumstances. Now THAT is bullshit.

 

[Crohnie]

I have three doctors that monitor and support my MMJ usage but only one, my rheumatologist, will sign my paperwork for the state. The other two can't because their insurance will not allow them to do it under any circumstances. Now THAT is bullshit.

I hear you, tdub. I'm not optimistic about my primary doctor giving me a recommendation. My approach is going to be: "I've been doing this for the past 20 years in addition to my prescriptions, diet, exercise, and it helps significantly. Nothing will change except my chance of being arrested." I'm not optimistic about my chances, but maybe my Gastroenterologist will be more sympathetic.

 

[t-dub]

I wish you luck. My docs are definitely sympathetic its just their hands are tied. You know, when I sit on the exam table and I speak with my doctors, I have insurance companies and now the government between me and them, its getting harder to see them through all this bullshit lol . . .

 

[aesthyrian]

FINALLY! It took what, 5 years for Illinois to pass the most restrictive medical marijuana program in the country, and on top of that it is only a pilot program that is meant to automatically expire in 4 years. Stepping stone, I know. I'm happy, but this whole process has just further encouraged me to move to Colorado. Their is no activism in Illinois, just a bunch of people who want to get stoned and that's it. It's shitty. I am very happy for the patients that will have a much better quality of life thanks to this bill, and I am very happy for politicians like Lou Lang, who just did not give up. He and the patients truly won a large victory yesterday, albeit a victory that should have come much sooner.

 

[dannkk]

That's the kind of stuff I was talking about. Sure, it will probably be legal now, but not many will be able to get access. Looks like the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act.

 

[satyrday]

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130517/news/705179601/

Not the most substantive article, but a finger on the pulse of a more mid-america approach to MMJ. For pain relief, the benefits are well known (at least anecdotally), but I agree with the need to reschedule and allow for more medicinal research, and it's good to see the medical community voicing that opinion. And of course it can be abused, but there's always that happening with various substances legal or not (at this point more problems with legal prescription drug abuse in fact).

Even though the IL law looks to be a highly conservative take on MMJ, a heartland state enacting at least some level of legalization should give extra safety-in-numbers security to states with more aggressive programs (unless it means that a federal model based on such a conservative approach will supersede all others).

 

[AgentofChaos]

And, Agent...what happened to the cloud? I was just checking your guys' sigs to try one.

At the time I purchased the Cloud I was living with roommates who hated the smell of bud. While the flavor and quality of vapor was the best I ever had, the smell was too strong and it wasn't worth the BS I was getting from them. Just picked up a Zephyr though and that is an awesome bag vape!

Question for my fellow windy city dwellers...Does anyone have an idea how to become a caregiver for the state? My uncle's hippie friend and I have discussed getting involved but I am not sure how we would go about it. Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Crohnie]

Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn speaking about the Medical Marijuana bill awaiting his signature or veto. Although the Governor has never committed to signing a medical marijuana bill into law, he has always said in past attempts, that he is "open minded." Although he is expected to sign it, it is by no means a sure thing.

Unfortunately, Illinois' Governor has 60 days to either sign or veto bills...far longer than any other state in the country.

Clearly this guy is sympathetic, but it doesn't hurt to hear from citizens of Illinois who use medically. I plan on writing the Governor a personal letter. Who's with me?

 

[satyrday]

I once worked with a Viet Nam vet who would say never volunteer for anything. Of course he was a dried up bitter old cuss - funny as hell though. Sign that letter XXX (he would say). I say you got balls, and if it weren't for people on the front lines we'd all be staring at our Hitler screen saver and writing letters to the local gestapo (turning you in).

 

[Crohnie]

After reading an article in the Chicago Tribune, I'm even more optimistic that the Governor will sign the medical marijuana bill it into law. It contains info about the Governor's comments that weren't included in the youtube video.

When asked about the bill yesterday, the Governor responded that he wanted to examine it carefully: "We want to make sure it's done properly. Sometimes there are technical defects in a bill." He also spoke about meeting with veterans who related to the Governor the relief they received from their pain. What politician is going to make a point of mentioning veterans needs and then saying no? Finally, when asked if he had any basic objections to the idea, the Governor replied: "No." I agree with the author of the Tribune article: "That doesn't sound like a Governor preparing to use his veto."

 

[aesthyrian]

Quinn will sign it. It's the "safest" written marijuana bill that exist, perfect for a middle of the road Dem like Quinn.

 

[Crohnie]

Governor Quinn likes taking his time looking at bills he's considering signing into law, so don't expect word one way or another right away. The state of Illinois has the longest permissible time (60 days) between a Governor receiving a bill and deciding to sign or veto it. That gives Quinn until July 17th. The bill is scheduled to go into effect 6 months from the date it becomes law. I'm predicting the Governor will sign it into law on or about July 1st. That would rather neatly make the law effective on January 1st, 2014. Stay tuned, folks!

 

[Crohnie]

I know it's been a while, but I have an update. After a closer reading of Illinois law, the Governor has 60 days to sign or veto a bill after it has been "presented" to him, not 60 days after it passed the Senate. Although the bill was passed on May 17th, the Governor didn't actually get it until June 5th. Governor Pat Quinn now has until August 4th to either sign the bill or veto it.

While it is by no means a sure thing, it is widely expected that Quinn will sign it into law. Today being June 29th, August 4th isn't far away! I have to revise my prediction on the signing date being July 1st. Quinn is the kind of guy who likes taking his time before signing a bill into law, especially something controversial.

 

[aesthyrian]

Yeah, he's going to take his time. Hell, he already has haha

But I do believe he will sign it. I have to believe that.

 

[Crohnie]

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn now has 30 days to either sign or veto the medical marijuana bill. If he doesn't sign, the bill will be dead since they're aren't enough votes in the House and Senate to override his veto. There's been a lot of "chatter" in Illinois' newspapers, blogs, etc. in the past 24 hours about the bill. The general consensus of the chatter is that the Governor will sign the bill into law and that it's going to happen pretty soon. Keep your fingers crossed. This is by no means a sure thing.

 

[Crohnie]

Governor Pat Quinn has two weeks from today, July 21st, to either sign or veto Illinois' medical marijuana bill. I've discovered that there's a 3rd alternative under Illinois law. If the Governor doesn't veto or sign a bill within the 60 day limit, that bill automatically becomes law.

Once again, this isn't a sure thing. I hope to have good news to report on Sunday August 4th!

 

[Primasilva]

I've been checking the news every couple hours ever since the bill went to his desk to see whether he's signed it yet. I have a feeling that he's going to try to avoid pissing off the police by letting the deadline pass instead of actually signing.

His office is prolly getting sick of me - I've emailed them like 5 or 6 times now, and my friend with MS has visited or called his office almost that often!

Now I just need to find an open-minded doc willing to prescribe mj for my scoliosis! I have 3 that I'm currently seeing, but one is a definite NO, one is wishy-washy, and I'm not sure whether the last has the power to prescribe.

 

[Crohnie]

I think you may be right, Primasilva. The longer the Governor waits, the more I think he may just allow the deadline to pass without signing the bill so the law can go into effect without his signature.

I've also written a personal letter to the Governor asking him to sign the bill. Everyday, I check to see if there's any news!

 

[Crohnie]

Illinois' Governor now has 7 days to either sign the medical marijuana bill into law or veto it. If he doesn't sign it by August 4th, the bill AUTOMATICALLY becomes law. Although Quinn seems in favor of the law, he'll be facing a very tough reelection campaign in 2014. I'm predicting he'll allow the deadline to pass (August 4th) and the bill will become law automatically so as to cause the least controversy possible. Stayed tuned for the big news 1 week from today!

Cross your fingers! This is not a sure thing.

 

[AgentofChaos]

Well it's official, Quinn will be signing the Bill tomorrow making Illinois a MMJ state. I'm very happy for the sick individuals who will find relief and peace with this medicine. I am upset with the restrictions, namely that patients cannot grow their own meds and how hard it is to qualify for a card. Selfishly I hope the black market here floods and things like BHO and edibles will become available to those without cards, but the Bill is tighter than a Nun's you know what, so I won't be holding my breath.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-medical-marijuana-217854331.html

 

[Primasilva]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...ijuana-bill-thursday-20130731,0,6053984.story

Gov Quinn has grown a pair & decided to sign the bill!

Edit: lol AgentofChaos, you beat me by a couple seconds